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I don't think I've seen this question on the boards but I thought I would ask.

I'm considered what people in the Industry would call a "Top Liner"Songwriter, one that writes "Lyrics and Melody", I don't play any instruments and I'm not capable of making tracks.

I have recently discovered a lot of people are "Leasing" tracks for their demos,so my question is what could be expected when you pitch a song with a Non-Exclusive track that a Major Artist wants to record.

What are the options available?Would the Record Company/Producer/ be willing to make their "Own"Track and replace the existing one?

Who would be in charge of Purchasing the "Exclusive" rights of the track?Would a Record or Publishing Company be willing to do this on behalf of the Songwriter if they have something they think could be profitable?

Has anyone had any experience with this specific situation?Thanks for your time and help in advance!-Dana

I would assume a major label artist would do original tracks. A lot of small artists will request tracks for songs they want to record. I have no tracks for a prospective artist. If they want to be sucessful they need to make an original recording.

Yes, I imagine they do, but I'm speaking of "Songwriters" who do not compose music:)There are Tons of music track makers who are Leasing their tracks out for this specific purpose, so I just want to get a better idea of how something like this could work.Thanks for taking the time to respond.-Dana

I guess it depends on what genre you are in, but I can't help but think that using tracks that you don't have the copyright to would be a major deal-breaker. You would be better off finding co-writing composers or do "work-for-hire" on all of your demos.

Have sketchy "ownership" issues would be a kiss of death, in my opinion. There are just way too many demos that don't have this issue.

Basically speaking many times you may have a set of lyrics that look good on paper but when you start to develop a melody lyric changes are needed before the song will work. I have done it myself on my own songs. So if you are a lyric writer find a co-writer locally if you can. Not always easy.

The genre I'm specifically thinking of is Pop R&B/Adult Contemp. Rock.I know it would be "Ideal" to find a collaborator who could do this, but my biggest problem is finding one that writes to the level of what is needed for a Major cut:)The Producers that have their tracks on website to lease or purchase is for this very issue...

You can lease them or put in a bid to use them Exclusively, the price can be very High for the Exclusive part,so I want to know what to expect of the process when Pitching to a Major.Thanks for your thoughts on this guys:)-Dana

Personally, I wouldn't mess around with anything less thanexclusive tracks, I'd own them or not use them. You're askingfor trouble, especially if you want to license them to TV and film, they're not going to want to work with you if you donot have 100% clearance. So, find a "cowriter/producer" and co-ownthe master with a collaboration agreement or buy him/her out, if that's what they want. That's my advice.

By the way, I use lyricists and in my collaboration agreement,because of the fact that music directors often want 100% clearance, and sometimes there are deadlines whereby I might not be able toget ahold of he lyricist for a signature in time, on my agreement, she grants me Power Of Attorney ( called attorney-in-fact in some states ) signing priviledges, so this gives me" 100% " clearance they require.